Old Testament - Interesting First Samuel readings today! Jonathan was quite brave going to the Philistine camp like he did. Verse 6 was impressive: "Jonathan said to his armor bearer. "Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few!"" Fortunately God helped him with an earthquake and what looked to be some unique strength in verse 13: "So they climbed up using both hands and feet, and the Philistines fell back as Jonathan and his armor bearer killed them right and left."

Then, Saul seems to be having some power & ego & oath issues in today's readings... First he makes and oath that the men cannot eat until evening - not so wise when in the midst of battle. Then he says in verse 39 - "I vow by the name of the LORD who rescued Israel that the sinner will surely die, even if it is my own son Jonathan!"" Well... it was Jonathan. Fortunately the people were smarter than Saul and saved Jonathan. Below is a painting by the artist C.F. Vos of Saul on this day of battle in today's readings:

Bible.org's commentary on our First Samuel readings today titled "Saul Fights the Philistines" is at this link.

New Testament - John chapter 7 verses 37 & 38 are powerful verses for each of us to meditate upon - ""Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow from the heart of those who believe in me." Wow... these are powerful words from Jesus. And so true. I know that I have been very spiritually thirsty in my life in the past and Jesus has most certainly quenched that thirst in my life. And I do believe that rivers of living water flow from the heart of those that believe in Jesus. This is the Holy Spirit, which indwells within us when we are in relationship with God the Father through Jesus the Son. This living water flowing from our hearts - the Holy Spirit - is an intriguing topic. I know different folks experience the Holy Spirit in different ways. I do hope that each of us do tangibly experience the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives each and every day. I do know there are some days where I really sense and experience the Holy Spirit in my heart and life. And there are some days where I may not - but I don't believe the Holy Spirit has departed. It's more likely that I'm just caught up in the hustle / bustle of this life and focused on the flesh / world and not the Spirit. Do you believe that rivers of living water will flow from the heart of those that believe in Jesus? Are you thirsty?

Interesting to see Nicodemus come up in today's readings in verses 50 & 51 - "Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, then spoke up. "Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?" he asked." Think Jesus' conversations with Nicodemus in John chapter 3 changed Nicodemus' life forever? Remember that John 3:16 is in that chapter - imagine being the person actually hearing that from Jesus himself! Oh my goodness... hard to imagine. I gotta believe that Nicodemus - a Pharisee - was now a Believer... Not surprising that he's defending Jesus in these verses today. Below is a beautiful painting by artist John La Farge from the year 1880 recalling recalling the "Visit of Nicodemus to Christ" from John 3:

Bible.org's commentary on today's (and yesterday's) John chapter 7 readings titled "Jesus in Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles" is at this link.

Psalms - Today in Psalm 109 verse 4 in the NIV we read these words of David – “I am a man of prayer.” Wow. I like that. And I’m not sure I can honestly say that about myself right now. Sure, I will roll out of bed and offer up some prayers. Yeah, I’ll try to say a prayer before meals. And yes, I’ll pray briefly before going to sleep. Oh yeah, maybe in church once a week too I’ll offer up some prayers. But, for me to say “I am a person of prayer” would probably not be truthful. Ouch. Don’t worry – I’m not beating myself up too badly over it. But - if I really want to realize that God is holy and a Rock and if I really want to love God and other people, then I have a hunch that being a person of prayer is a critical part of the equation. I don’t think that prayer is so much talking to God as it is really slowing down and listening to God. Sure, it’s a conversation, but I think in our fast pace world today we would do well to really slow down in prayer and listen to God. Listen for that still small voice within our hearts leading us to God’s kingdom and glory and peace. It’s there. I think it takes prayer to really hear it oftentimes. How about you? Are you a person of prayer? Do you want to be a person of prayer? When you pray, do you talk more or listen more to God? Do you want to live your life as a person of prayer?

Bible.org's commentary on Psalm 109 titled "A Prayer for the Punishment of the Wicked" is at this link.

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today:"Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." John 7:37-38 TNIV

Prayer Point: Pray that your spiritual thirst has been quenched by your faith in Jesus. Pray that streams of living water - the Holy Spirit - is flowing within you today and forevermore.

Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Are you learning from God's discipline of you? Or, do you despise God's discipline at times? Which is the better road to go? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,Mike

p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our One Year Bible readings at this link.

p.p.s. Download a schedule of our One Year Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.

p.p.p.s. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pray for this One Year Bible Blog ministry today. Thanks!

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1 Samuel 14:1-52
I think I’m about to make a BIG leap by connecting Saul’s treatment of his son Jonathan to how we treat the Son of man, Jesus. When I sat down at my computer to type out my response to this reading I had plans to take this reading and my subsequent response in another direction. .

In my minds eye I saw Saul as a type of the world mistreating, rebuking, and persecuting the one God chose to deliver natural and spiritual Israel, Jesus. Saul is a type of Pharisee or religious leader of the day. Having no personal relationship with God (he was unaware that Samuel was a prophet let alone recognizing who he was), Saul put on the “cloak” of someone who did. This is a case of the mouse falling into the cookie jar then assuming it had become a cookie. All the mouse will do is eat up the cookies. All Saul could do was consume his own men for his own purposes and self-interest. In fact the warning Samuel gave to Israel about what a king would require of them was coming into fruition.

Saul made up a curse and then held it over his men’s head, including his son’s. Jesus accused the Pharisees of making up rules and placing them above God’s law. In the Book of Numbers we read that no one can curse what God has blessed when Balak hired Balaam to curse Israel (Numbers 23). The writer of Proverbs stats this, “Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse does not come to rest. (26:2). Saul wanted to kill his son because he had violated his command, stupid as it was, but because of pride, he didn’t want to appear weak before his men. Ever notice how nasty we can become when we are in public and we are proven wrong about a comment we have made or something we thought was on sale, but isn’t? We attack the person bringing us the truth. So it was with Saul. Instead of repenting for the dumb command he made, he became obstinate and stuck to his ill-conceived words. However, unlike the crowds at Jesus’ crucifixion, the fighting men interceded for Jonathan.

John 7:31-53
Fast forward to Jesus. Here we have the accusers, the religious leaders, and we have a crowd that is caught between two, no three opinions, Messiah, Prophet or just some crazy man. Unlike Jonathan’s supporters, this crowd is not speaking in one accord. Here we have someone who walked in Righteousness being called a “sinner” by those walking in unrighteousness. Saul walked playing the part of a quasi-religious leader, called to lead but failing to pick up the mantel. In reality Saul and the religious establishment of Jesus’ day were weak leaders because they were afraid of the people they were called to lead. You can’t lead people you are afraid of.

Psalm 109:1-31
David in this Psalm picks up the theme of false persecution and accusation. I love how unrelated books and authors come together in the Bible picking up the same motif, that’s God! But what I like about this Psalm is the reminder in verse twenty-eight to carry oneself with dignity while waiting on God,
28 Then let them curse me if they like,
but you will bless me! When they attack me, they will be disgraced!
But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!

The Lord always comes to our rescue even when it seems to us that He isn’t.

Proverbs 15:5-7

Discipline (The word disciple is in discipline) is the only way we can establish any kind of self-control and according to Proverb 12:2, knowledge can only be acquired if one loves discipline. A disciplined person has knowledge and a person of knowledge has discipline

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid.

I just loved the psalms 109
Passages today!!!Isn't that why God loved David so much? For he had a repentant heart?? He sinned but recognized his sin. He cried out to God. Thank God for David! Thank God for the psalms. Because without his praises n cries I would feel so inadequate. I Know I'm
Forgiven and God loves me unconditionally but Reading the psalms pacify me and just give me peace in this troubled word. I love passage of John too. Jesus word " anyone who is thirsty come drink" John 7:37-38
Lord fill my cup!!!!!